Stroke (brain stroke) is a widespread, dangerous disease associated with acute circulatory disorder in the vessels of the brain. Such a violation is caused by changes in the properties of blood vessels (increased permeability, severe spasm, blockage) or their complete rupture. How to recognize a stroke in a person in order to provide the necessary assistance in a timely manner?
Stroke is a disease of all ages.
If at all times a stroke was considered a disease of the elderly, then in today's busy rhythm of life, all age categories are at risk. How to recognize signs of a stroke? First of all, such a disease, which is one of the main causes of sudden death, can develop in people suffering from hypertension, obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. Risk factors also include abnormal lifestyles, smoking, and alcohol abuse. Atherosclerosis is considered the most common cause of a stroke , in which the plaques formed in the vessels are able to come off at any moment and block the blood flow. This leads to oxygen starvation of a certain part of the brain and its subsequent death. Also, a stroke can occur with cramping, thrombosis, hemorrhage. How to recognize a stroke in women and men?
Types of Strokes
Depending on the cause of the blood supply disturbance, 2 types of strokes are distinguished:
- Ischemic. With this form, the integrity of the vessel is preserved, and the flow of blood stops due to blockage by a thrombus or embolus of the arterial lumen.
- Hemorrhagic. There is a rupture of the walls of blood vessels, blood penetrates into the substance of the brain.
It should be remembered: test SPD
You can recognize a stroke in time using a simple but informative test of ultrasonic testing. For this patient, you should ask:
- To smile. A “distorted”, crooked smile with a corner of the mouth downward will indicate a numbness in one half of the face, thereby confirming the alleged diagnosis.
- To speak. In the pre-stroke state, the language seems to be stuck, and speech becomes slurred and resembles a conversation of a very drunk person.
- Raise your hands. The hands of a person affected by a stroke will be raised asymmetrically, at different heights.
How to recognize a stroke: symptoms
A patient can recognize a stroke that has occurred independently on the following grounds:
- numbness of the face or one of the limbs;
- severe headache for no apparent reason;
- loss of ability to clearly speak and understand the meaning of the interlocutor's speech;
- dizziness, double vision;
- fuzzy vision of surrounding objects, partial loss of vision;
- disorder of coordination, inability to take an object with both hands, shakiness when walking;
- decrease, perversion or disappearance of sensitivity: taste, smell, tactile sensations;
- partial clouding of consciousness or its complete loss.
Road every second
In such difficult moments, people near the patient must behave correctly. Do not panic! Do not be scared! Do not get lost! You need to understand how to recognize a stroke without a doctor. Actions taken in relation to a person affected by a stroke should be confident, clear and coherent. Indeed, the patient’s life depends on the quick recognition of the symptoms of a stroke . You need to understand that there is simply no time for thought: timely medical care provides a chance to stop the process of loss of neurons in affected areas of the brain. In the absence of medical care in the first 3-6 hours, the risk of irreversible consequences and death of the patient increases exponentially.
Stroke Sequence
- Call an ambulance team, describe in detail what is happening over the phone. This is required for the dispatcher to understand the complexity of the case and coordinate the necessary specialists to the call point.
- While the ambulance is on the way, the patient needs to be conveniently laid down, his head 30 degrees above the surface. As auxiliary materials, it is recommended to use clothes, pillows and blankets.
- Ensure freedom of breathing: remove pressure clothing, unfasten belt and buttons. In the room where the patient is located, it is required to provide access to fresh air.
- In case of nausea or vomiting, the victim’s head should be carefully turned to one side. This action will protect the respiratory tract from vomiting. Also, next to the patient should carefully put a basin or use a plastic bag, and after stopping vomiting, thoroughly clean the oral cavity.
- If possible, it is recommended to measure the blood pressure of the victim and report the testimony to the arriving medical team. If the pressure is high, you need to help the patient with appropriate drugs. In their absence, a heating pad or a bottle of hot water should be placed on the patient's legs.
- Upon arrival, the ambulance must clearly, quickly, informatively describe to the doctors the full picture of the event.
It is important to know how to recognize a stroke. You can’t fuss, panic, show fear! You need to speak with the patient in a calm tone, provide all kinds of moral support.
Sad statistics
People with a stroke do not always recover completely. Such lucky people are about 8% of the total number of cases. The rest are less fortunate: either they remain disabled or die, having lived after a stroke for a fairly short period. Such sad statistics is the result of a late call for help, and with such a disease, the time factor plays a key role.
Not so frightening in comparison with a stroke is the diagnosis of "microstroke." How to recognize a stroke or a microstroke? This condition differs from a stroke in short duration and usually ends in recovery. A microstroke is a kind of warning that the circulatory system of the brain may one day fail with the diagnosis of a stroke, because it is in a deplorable state.
Microstroke: who is affected?
The micro-stroke risk group is still the same:
- hypertension;
- smokers
- alcohol abusers;
- suffering from diabetes;
- overweight;
- prone to thrombosis;
- suffered a hypertensive crisis.
Also, a short-term spasm of cerebral vessels can be caused by jumps in atmospheric pressure, stress, and severe overwork.
How to recognize a stroke and microstroke
It is very important to determine the micro stroke in time: diagnosing it within 3-6 hours will significantly increase the chances of a cure. Dizziness, irritation in bright light and harsh sounds, vomiting, “goosebumps” on the skin are the main symptoms of impending danger, which sometimes can not be distinguished from ordinary headache after stress or fatigue. How to recognize a stroke and microstroke? If the listed symptoms do not subside during the first day, we are talking about this particular disease. Otherwise, it can be a migraine or a jump in blood pressure.
Most often, a microstroke occurs due to:
- reduced physical activity and overweight;
- unhealthy diet;
- non-compliance with the daily routine;
- predisposition or presence of cardiovascular disease;
- high blood pressure;
- stress
- heredity;
- bad ecology.
Sometimes an attack of narrowing of the vessels of the brain can be caused by fluctuations in atmospheric pressure. Most often, micro strokes are found in women: 6-8% more than in men, and are characterized by similar symptoms in both sexes.
Microstroke Medical Therapy
When determining the symptoms characteristic of a microstroke, you should definitely visit a doctor who will direct you to a detailed blood test, magnetic resonance diagnostics, computer topography, angiography, dopplerography, and an echocardiogram. This is required to determine the state of blood vessels and the heart. Very often, people are negligent of anxious symptoms or do not distinguish between them, therefore they suffer a microstroke on their legs. This is very dangerous for health, because this pathology requires the provision of timely medical care. To restore blood supply in the affected area of ​​the brain, it is recommended to use certain medications:
- Vasodilator: Pentoxifylline, Xanthinol Nicotinate;
- Angioprotectors are drugs whose action is aimed at reducing vascular permeability, improving metabolic processes and microcirculation in them (Tanakan, Bilobil, Nimodipine).
- Metabolic. They cause an increase in opposition to the resistance of brain cells to aggressive manifestations. They improve memory and mental activity (Cerebrolysin, Piracetam, Cinnarizine, Vinpocetine).
- Antiplatelet agents - drugs that reduce the likelihood of platelets joining and sticking to the walls of blood vessels: Dipyridamole, Aspirin, Ticlopidine.
Stroke Prevention
The recovery period consists in conducting respiratory gymnastics, massage, physiotherapy exercises, diet, physiotherapy.
As prophylactic methods against strokes and microstrokes, it is recommended to constantly monitor blood pressure, remove salty, fatty, smoked foods from the diet and fill it with fish, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables. A salt-free diet helps to lower blood pressure.
You must forget about smoking, which doubles the risk of stroke. It is required to correctly distribute your day, adhere to a competent regimen. It is imperative to exercise regularly, do exercises every day, and also know how to recognize a stroke and a microstroke in order to manage to save your own and other people's lives.